”It is shameful the way that some politicians in Albany have begun fear-mongering and stirring up xenophobia in response to a proposed bill aimed at broadening the rights and voices of immigrant residents,” said Héctor Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU. “Regardless of the merits of this specific bill, now is not the time for politicians from either party to play into the anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from the likes of the Tea Party for short term political gain, nor is it the time to stay silent. This kind of bias has led to attacks on immigrant children fleeing violence in their home countries, and here on our home turf. Instead, New York should be leading the way, in the best tradition of our country, to find ways to open our arms to those in need and enrich our great state with the contributions of immigrants from around the world. I call on all of our elected leaders – Democrat and Republican — to denounce the rhetoric coming from those such as candidate Rob Astorino, or risk a strong rebuke from the growing number of American voters proud of their immigrant families and heritage. ”